Topic Contents

Treating Asthma in Babies and Younger Children

Topic Overview

Babies and small children need early treatment for asthma
symptoms to prevent severe breathing problems. They may have more serious
problems than adults because their bronchial tubes are smaller.

Although it may
appear that occasional treatment with medicines for children who have mild
asthma is enough, one review has noted that one-third of fatal asthma attacks
occurred in children who had mild asthma.1 Even if
your child's asthma does not appear severe, work with your doctor to make the
right plan for your child.

The National Asthma Education and
Prevention Program (NAEPP) recommends treatment with long-term medicines for
infants and young children who:2

Consistently need treatment for symptoms on
more than 2 days a week for longer than 4 weeks.

Have severe
attacks more than once every 6 weeks.

Have had wheezing 4 or more
times in the past year lasting longer than 1 day and affecting sleep
and who have
atopic dermatitis or a parent with
asthma.

Have had wheezing 4 or more times in the past year lasting
longer than 1 day and affecting sleep and two of the
following four symptoms:

Related Information

References

Citations

National Institutes of Health (2007). National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (NIH
Publication No. 08–5846). Available online:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/index.htm.

National Institutes of Health (2007). National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (NIH
Publication No. 08–5846). Available online:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/index.htm.

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